I feel the need to give this man full congratulations! I am not sure that I can agree with the continued fuss about this man’s situation, or even if I would want to participate in it. All that I can say is that it really seems the he deserves full admiration and respect!

Oscar Pistorius is a 25 year-old Olympic competitor from Johannesburg, South Africa. He is one of 112 athletes from that nation who went to participate in The 2012 Olympic Games at London. Pistorius has achieved worldwide attention because of his participation in The Games, and the special manner in which he has been allowed to compete. Pistorius is a double amputee!

His situation is special because he had both of his legs amputated when he was eleven months old. Both of his legs were without fibulae. The remains of his legs were amputated beneath his knees one year after his birth. Pistorius was given prosthetic attachments shortly thereafter, allowing him to participate in athletic competitions!

Now, Pistorius has been dubbed as The Blade Runner! His efforts to become a regularly recognized Olympic competitor came after a decision granted by Switzerland’s Court of Arbitration for Sport during 2008. He did not qualify for the Olympic team that year, but Pistorius competed in The 2008 Summer Paralympics. There he won three gold medals in the 100 meter, 200 meter, and 400 meter races, making him the winning leader of T44 athletes.

Pistorius was cleared to compete within The 2012 Games at London. His use of the Cheetah Flex-Foot artificial limbs allowed him to race against other runners. Pistorius not only achieved this goal, but he succeeded in achieving a Silver Medal. This will allow Pistorius to compete in today’s semifinal race!

Currently, Pistorius holds world records at Summer Paralympics competitions. He is the leader of the T44 athletes, having run within the 100 meter, 200 meter, and 400 meter races. Pistorius’ participation in these races has come with accolades and controversy because of his having been allowed to compete with the use of his Cheetah Flex-Foot articificial limbs.

Pistorius has J-shaped, carbon fiber, artificial legs attached just beneath both of his knees. His attempts at achieving Olympic competition status came with controversy because many felt that Pistorius’ use of the prosthetic attachments would give him an unfair advantage over racing competitors with naturally-attached legs. Some views chose to argue that the artificial limbs would provide advantage, not succumbing so easily to potential degradation that racers with regular legs might face.

He proceeded to compete for qualification within The 2012 Games, using his prosthetic legs on equal competition levels with other racers. Pistorius entered yesterday’s 400 meter race, and he finished it within 45.44 seconds! This was the second-place finish for that day.

Pistorius’ Cheetah Flex-Feet have come with much controversy and debate. Yet, I would have to say that his presence does display the will of the human spirit to advance, and to overcome adversity, despite any given obstacles. Pistorius has not allowed his disability to transform into disadvantage, nor has he allowed those whom chose to attempt blocking his progress (haters…) to keep him from achieving success. Best of luck today, Blade Runner!